Mayor Cherelle L. Parker

As Philadelphia welcomes the world, we’ve made a commitment to make sure Philadelphians can be part of the experience.

Today, we were proud to help 100 young people and their coaches attend the next two FIFA World Cup matches right here in Philadelphia.

Through Kensington Soccer Club - Community Advancement Through Soccer and the Starfinder Foundation, these young people will experience the world’s game on the world’s biggest stage — Not on television. Not from a distance. In person. Right here in their hometown.


When I think about the legacy of this World Cup, I think about the next generation. I think about the young people who we stood alongside today.

Dream big. Work hard. Support one another. And enjoy every minute of this experience.

Philadelphia is rooting for you. Congratulations!

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Philadelphia Soccer 2026, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will join youth soccer players, coaches, and community partners at Hunting Park Recreation Center to announce the donation of FIFA World Cup 2026™ match tickets to Kensington Soccer Club and Starfinder Foundation.

Through the ticket donation, 100 young people and their coaches will attend two upcoming FIFA World Cup matches at Philadelphia Stadium. The announcement highlights the Parker Administration's commitment to ensuring Philadelphia residents, especially young people, can participate in the historic opportunities created by FIFA World Cup 2026™.

I was honored to guest conduct the incredible The Philadelphia Orchestra, ringing in Opening Night at Highmark Mann for their Summer concert season.

50 years ago, the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts officially opened their gates, and since then, has stood as one of Philadelphia’s cultural treasures.

If you get the chance, I urge you, see a show, and take in all the beauty Highmark Mann has to offer!

Here’s to another 50 years of unforgettable experiences in West Fairmount Park.

Riding down historic 52nd Street in the 10th annual Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade and Festival, surrounded by families, neighbors, and residents celebrating this year’s theme of Kujichagulia, or self-determination, was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose.

Over the last decade, this celebration has grown into one of the largest Juneteenth parades in the nation, bringing together tens of thousands of people to honor our history, celebrate our culture, and build a stronger future together. It was great to kick off the day with Rick Williams and Tam Edwards of 6abc Action News before joining the festivities.

The theme of self-determination resonates deeply with me because it is also at the heart of our work in Philadelphia.

Whether it’s helping families become homeowners through our H.O.M.E. Initiative, fighting for safe and modern schools, creating safer neighborhoods, or expanding access to economic opportunity, we are working every day to ensure more Philadelphians have the tools and support they need to shape their own futures.

On Monday, I’ll join students, educators, labor leaders, advocates, and Council President Kenyatta Johnson in Harrisburg to continue the fight for the school funding and modern facilities Philadelphia’s children deserve. Because honoring progress means continuing it.

My thanks to PA Juneteenth for ten years of leadership, and to the volunteers, community leaders, performers, vendors, and residents who have helped grow this celebration into one of the nation’s premier Juneteenth traditions.

Special thanks to 6abc, Dwight Evans, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Senator. Anthony H. Williams, Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, Morgan Cephas, Rep. Amen Brown, Rep. Roni Green, Rick Krajewski, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Curtis Jones Jr, Omar Sabir, and everyone who helped make this milestone celebration possible.

Nine days into our 39-day FIFA Fan Festival, I found myself standing on Lemon Hill looking out at 15,000 fans from around the world and thinking: this is exactly what we hoped this moment would feel like.

Families. Neighbors. Visitors. Flags from every corner of the globe. All gathered together right here in Philadelphia.

In this historic year, as we celebrate 250 years of democracy, we made a commitment to create a space where everyone could be part of the experience. No ticket required. No barriers to entry. Just community, culture, and connection.

Making this experience free for all 39 days of the tournament was a deliberate choice. We wanted every resident, every family, and every visitor to have the opportunity to be part of this moment.

My thanks to the hundreds of employees, volunteers, and partners who made today possible, including the teams at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Streets Department of Transportation, Philly Public Health, Philly311, ISEPTAPHILLY, PHL Office of Special Events, and FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia™.

Together, they turned Lemon Hill into a world-class gathering place for fans from around the globe.

Today was Philadelphia at its best: welcoming, diverse, joyful, and proud.

For the next 30 days, people from every background, every neighborhood, and every corner of the world will continue to gather here together. That’s bigger than soccer. That’s what One Philly looks like.

The world is here, and Philadelphia is showing exactly who we are. ⚽️🌎❤️

Nine days into our 39-day FIFA Fan Festival, I found myself standing on Lemon Hill looking out at 15,000 fans from around the world and thinking: this is exactly what we hoped this moment would feel like.

Families. Neighbors. Visitors. Flags from every corner of the globe. All gathered together right here in Philadelphia.

In this historic year, as we celebrate 250 years of democracy, we made a commitment to create a space where everyone could be part of the experience. No ticket required. No barriers to entry. Just community, culture, and connection.

Making this experience free for all 39 days of the tournament was a deliberate choice. We wanted every resident, every family, and every visitor to have the opportunity to be part of this moment.

Today was Philadelphia at its best: welcoming, diverse, joyful, and proud.

For the next 30 days, people from every background, every neighborhood, and every corner of the world will continue to gather here together. That’s bigger than soccer. That’s what One Philly looks like.

The world is here, and Philadelphia is showing exactly who we are. ⚽️🌎❤️



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Good afternoon, Philadelphia. I want to talk with you about an important Federal court ruling released today on the City’s lawsuit involving the President’s House exhibit on Independence Mall.

The United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling that the City won in February, which ordered the Federal government to reinstall a series of interpretative panels at the President’s House that told the powerful history of how 9 enslaved individuals were held in slavery in the executive residence by President Washington.

Today, the Third Circuit Court ruled against the City, and ruled that the Federal government had the legal right to determine what panels were installed at the President’s House.

Philadelphia, hear me on this: I will pursue every legal action possible to reverse this decision. We cannot and WILL not rest until the full story of American history – including the existence of Slavery at the President’s House here in Philadelphia – is told, for our Nation and the World to see.

I will continue this fight, along with the allies who have been involved with the President’s House from the beginning, including Avenging The AncestorsThe Black Journey Walking Tourion, led by Michael Coard, The Black Journey, and other citizens who feel passionately that there is only one way to tell American history: To tell the truth.